DE112010001148B4 - Health management device - Google Patents

Abstract

A health management apparatus comprising: a first measuring device (400) for measuring a vertical width and a horizontal width of an abdomen of a subject; a second measuring device (300, 100, 11) for measuring a fat value comprised of visceral fat, subcutaneous fat and fat-free mass of a subject in Is related value using an impedance; and display processing means (100, 12) for executing processing for displaying an abdomen cross-sectional image representing a shape corresponding to an outer shape of the abdomen of the subject and a shape corresponding to a fat state of the abdomen on a display as processing for specifying an abdomen cross-sectional image of the subject having corresponds to the measurement results of the first measuring device and the second measuring device, and for displaying the image on a display, the processing executed by the display processing device comprising: first determination processing for determining an elliptical shape defined by a vertical width and a horizontal width which are measured by the first measuring means, and a second determination processing for determining an elliptical shape representing a visceral fat mass, a subcutaneous fat mass and a fat-free mass, respectively, with respect to d he elliptical shape based on the respective proportions of the visceral fat mass, the subcutaneous fat mass and the lean mass with respect to an abdominal cross section of the subject.

Description

Technical part

The present invention relates to health management devices and, in particular, to health management devices for visually outputting measurement results.

Background technology

Reducing a person's visceral fat accumulation is essential to the diagnosis, treatment and improvement of obesity, which is the focus of lifestyle related diseases. Therefore, for the health management apparatus, there is proposed a measuring apparatus that provides the result of visceral fat measurement with the abdominal cross-sectional image for a person in order to motivate the person to improve his / her lifestyle.

Regarding such a measuring device, see Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication JP 2002-191 563 A (hereinafter referred to as Patent Document 1) an apparatus for generating an image based on information on the visceral fat area and the subcutaneous fat area and displaying the image. Specifically, the device shown in Patent Document 1 calculates the visceral fat area and the subcutaneous fat area from an impedance value, a waist circumference value and an attribute input value for the abdominal side of the abdomen, and displays them with a concentric circle.

Patent Document 1: Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication JP 2002 - 191 563 A

Brief description of the invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

In the apparatus used in Patent Document 1, however, a value obtained simply by measuring the waist circumference is used as the waist circumference value. Because the shape of the abdomen section is different for each person, the shape of the abdomen section cannot be accurately represented by the waist circumference. Therefore, the shape of the abdomen cross section of a person or a subject cannot be determined from only the waist circumference represented by the device of Patent Document 1. In addition, the distribution of the visceral fat accumulation cannot be accurately determined by the map provided by the apparatus of Patent Document 1 because the distribution of the visceral fat accumulation changes according to the shape of the abdomen.

That is, when the visceral fat measuring device described in Patent Document 1 is used, the measurement result is not provided using an image that approximates the abdomen shape (cross-sectional shape, visceral fat accumulation distribution, subcutaneous fat accumulation shape) of a person. Therefore, the person cannot accurately recognize his / her abdominal shape and the accumulation state of visceral fat, so that he / she is not motivated to improve his / her obesity, which is the focus of the lifestyle related diseases.

In view of the problems described above, it is an object of the present invention to provide a health management device for outputting a measurement result in which the abdomen shape of a subject can be easily recognized by displaying the abdomen cross-sectional shape and the accumulation mass and the distribution of the subcutaneous fat and the visceral fat with an image that corresponds better to the subject itself.

Means of solving the problem

In order to achieve the above object, according to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a health management device comprising: first measuring means for measuring a vertical width and horizontal width of a subject, second measuring means for measuring information related to visceral fat, subcutaneous fat and the lean mass of the subject are related using impedance values, and display processing means for executing processing for specifying an abdominal cross-sectional image corresponding to the measurement results of the first measuring means and the second measuring means and displaying the image on a display.

Effect of the invention

According to the present invention, the measurement result of the health management device can be displayed with an image that better corresponds to the abdomen shape of a subject.

Figure list

• 1 Fig. 10 shows a specific example of a configuration of an embodiment of a body fat meter;
• 2 FIG. 13 is a view for describing the arrangement of each in FIG 1 shown Electrode on a subject and the functional configuration of an apparatus main body;
• 3 Fig. 13 is a flow chart showing a specific example of the measuring operation in the device main body;
• 4th Fig. 13 is a block diagram showing a specific example of a configuration of a display processing section of a body fat meter main body according to a first embodiment;
• 5 FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing a first specific example (display processing 1-1) of the display processing of step S9 in FIG 3 according to the first embodiment;
• 6A and 6B are views for describing the flow of display processing 1-1;
• 7th FIG. 13 is a view for describing the principle of a second specific example (display processing 1-2) of the display processing of step S9 in FIG 3 according to the first embodiment;
• 8th Fig. 13 is a flowchart showing the display processing 102;
• 9 FIG. 13 is a view for showing a specific example of a conversion table used in a third specific example (display processing 1-3) of the display processing of step S9 in FIG 3 is used according to the first embodiment;
• 10 Fig. 13 is a flowchart showing the display processing 1-3;
• 11A and 11B are views for describing the flow of display processing 1-3;
• 12th Fig. 13 is a block diagram showing a specific example of a configuration of a display processing section of a body fat meter main body according to a second embodiment;
• 13th Fig. 13 is a view showing a specific example of information stored in a subcutaneous fat image database of the body fat meter main body according to the second embodiment
• 14th Fig. 13 is a view showing a specific example of information stored in a visceral fat image database of the body fat meter main body according to the second embodiment;
• 15th FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing a specific example (display processing 2) of the display processing of step S9 in FIG 3 according to the second embodiment;
• 16A until 16C are views for describing the flow of display processing 2;
• 17th Fig. 13 is a block diagram showing a specific example of a configuration of a display processing section of a body fat meter main body according to a third embodiment;
• 18th Fig. 13 is a view showing a format example used for display according to the third embodiment;
• 19th FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing a specific example (display processing 3) of the display processing of step S9 in FIG 3 according to the third embodiment; and
• 20th FIG. 13 shows a specific example of a screen displayed by the display processing 3.

Best Technique For Implementing The Invention

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the same components and structural elements are denoted by the same reference numerals. Their names and functions are the same.

Below is a body fat meter configured to measure not only visceral fat mass but also fat mass of the whole body and fat mass of a specific part of the body {fat mass of upper limbs and lower limbs, fat mass of trunk, subcutaneous fat mass of abdomen, etc. ) described as an example of a health management device. That is, the “body fat meter” serving as a health management device includes an “abdominal fat meter”.

The term "abdomen" refers to the part of the torso with the exception of the chest. The term "spaced from the abdomen" includes the upper limbs, including the upper arm, forearm, wrist and fingers, the chest and the diaphragm a predetermined minimum distance (e.g. about 10 cm), the upper body including the shoulder, the neck and the head, and the lower limbs, including the thigh, lower leg, ankle, and toes. The term "body axis" means that is perpendicular to the transverse plane of the subject's abdomen extending axis. The "abdominal ventral side" includes the part that is visible from the front of the subject's abdomen. For example, the "abdominal side" includes the visible portion of the subject's abdomen when the subject is viewed from the navel side along the axis extending through the subject's navel and spine and perpendicular to the subject's body axis. The term "abdominal back" includes the portion of the subject's abdomen that is visible when the subject is viewed from the back of the subject's abdomen. For example, the "abdominal back" includes the visible portion of the subject's abdomen when the subject is viewed from the spinal side along the axis that extends through the navel and spine and perpendicular to the subject's body axis. The term "vertical width" of the abdomen means the maximum length from the navel side to the abdominal back of the transverse plane of the subject's abdomen. The term "horizontal width" of the abdomen means the maximum length in an axial direction extending perpendicular to the axis extending in the direction of the vertical width of the transverse plane of the subject's abdomen.

According to 1 The present embodiment of the body fat meter (hereinafter referred to as a meter) includes: an apparatus main body 100 , four clamps 201 , 202 , 203 , 204 for attaching electrodes to four limbs by cables or wirelessly to the main body of the device 100 to be connected, a strap 300 for attaching the electrode to the abdominal back, a measuring unit 400 for measuring the horizontal width and the vertical width of the abdomen, and a plug 500 for supplying power to the device main body 100 . The horizontal width and the vertical width of the abdomen are in the example of 1 denoted by 2a and 2b, respectively.

The device main body 100 has a display section 110 and an operating section 120 on. The device main body 100 can be wired or wireless with an external device 600 can be connected to perform communication therebetween. The external device 600 can be a personal computer, printer, or similar device. The device main body 100 has the functions described later and performs processing for calculating various masses of fat by detecting the potential difference between respective locations of the subject and displaying the obtained data on the display section 110 as measurement results. For the display section 110 an LCD (liquid crystal display) display can be used. The operating section 120 enables a measurement person or an operator to place the device main body 100 Input commands, and is configured by keys and the like that can be pressed by the operator.

The clamps 201 , 202 , 203 , 204 have electrodes H11 , H21 , F11 , F21 on. The clamps 201 , 202 have electrodes H11 or. H21 for the upper limb. the clamp 201 is attached to the wrist of the subject's right hand, and the clamp 202 is attached to the wrist of the subject's left hand, making the electrodes H11 , H21 for the upper limb can be attached to the surface of the wrist of the right hand and the surface of the wrist of the left hand, respectively. The clamps 203 , 204 have electrodes F11 or. F21 for the lower limbs. the clamp 203 is attached to the ankle of the subject's right foot, and the clamp 204 is attached to the ankle of the subject's left foot, making the electrodes F11 , F21 for the lower limb are attached to the surface of the ankle of the right foot and the surface of the ankle of the left foot, respectively.

The belt 300 has a pressure element 310 , which is intended to be pressed against the abdominal back of the subject, a strap portion 320 on both sides of the pressure element 310 attached, and a buckle 330 to fix the strap section 320 on. The pressure element 310 has pairs of electrodes AP1 until AP4 on. The belt 300 is applied around the abdomen of the subject so that the pressure element 310 is arranged slightly towards the top of the coccyx and the pairs of electrodes AP1 until AP4 be tightly fixed to the abdominal back of the subject.

The unit of measurement 400 has a cursor holding section 401 and a body structure measuring section 402 on. The cursor holding section 401 has an element movable in a first direction and a second element movable in a direction perpendicular to the first direction and holds a cursor part 401a for measuring the horizontal width and a cursor part 401b to measure the vertical width. Through the cursor holding section 401 becomes the cursor part 401a for measuring the horizontal width held parallel to the element movable in the first direction and the cursor part 401b held parallel to the movable member in the second direction for measuring the vertical width. The operator moves each element of the cursor holding section 401 such that the transverse plane of the abdomen of the subject through the cursor part 401a for measuring the horizontal width by the member movable in the first direction and the cursor part 401b for measuring the vertical width is sandwiched by the member movable in the second direction, the cursor part 401a to the Measure the horizontal width and the cursor part 401b may be brought into contact with the subject's abdomen to measure the vertical width. The body type measurement section 402 is with the cursor holding section 401 and the device main body 100 electrically connected. The body type measurement section 402 detects the length of each element of the cursor holding section 401 at the time when the operation of a switch (not shown) or the lapse of a predetermined period of time from the start of measurement is detected, and outputs a signal indicating the length of each element as related to the shape of the abdomen cross section of the subject standing physique information on the main body of the device 100 out. Therefore, the vertical and horizontal widths of the subject's abdomen are determined using the signal from the body structure measuring section 402 in the device main body 100 calculated. The vertical and horizontal widths of the subject's abdomen, face up, are measured by defining the first direction as a vertical direction and the second direction as a horizontal direction.

In the in 1 The example shown is the unit of measurement 400 with the device main body 100 connected, and the vertical and horizontal widths of the subject's abdomen are determined based on the signal from the measuring unit 400 calculated via the operating section 120 however, the vertical and horizontal widths of the abdomen of the separately measured subject can also be entered.

According to 2 has the device main body 100 a control section 10 , a constant current generating section 21 , a terminal switching section 22nd , a potential difference detection section 23 , a subject information input section 25th , a communication section 26th , an operating section 120 , a power supply section 28 and a storage section 29 on.

The power supply section 28 is used to supply voltage to the control section 10 or the like, and has an internal power supply such as a battery and an external power supply such as a mains power supply by the voltage via a socket and the plug 500 is fed.

The memory section 29 is used to store various data and programs associated with the device main body 100 and stores the subject information described later, the various calculated fat masses, the body fat measurement program for executing the body fat measurement processing, and the display processing program for executing the processing for displaying the measurement result.

The tax section 10 has a computing device such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and controls the entire apparatus main body 100 . The tax section 10 reads that in the memory section 29 stored program and executes it to transfer commands to various function blocks in 2 to transmit, to carry out various arithmetic processing based on the obtained information, or to display the measurement result. The tax section 10 has an arithmetic processing section 11th and an image processing section 12th on. These functions can be implemented in the CPU by using the ones in the control section 10 arranged CPU is caused to execute the program, but at least a part can also be executed by computing circuits and hardware different from the CPU.

The terminal switching section 22nd is configured by multiple relay circuits or the like. The terminal switching section 22nd is with the abdominal electrode pairs AP1 until AP4 , the electrodes H11 , H21 for the upper limbs and the electrodes F11 , F21 for the lower limbs electrically connected.

The abdominal electrode pairs AP1 , AP2 , AP3 and AP4 are in the pressure element 310 of the belt section 320 and placed on the surface of the abdominal back of the subject in a body axis direction by fastening the strap portion 320 fixed to the subject in such a way that the pressure element 310 is brought into contact with the abdominal back of the subject. The abdominal electrode pairs AP1 , AP2 , AP3 , AP4 are spaced apart in the body axis direction on the abdominal rear of the subject and substantially perpendicular to the body axis. For example, is the abdominal electrode pair AP2 at a predetermined distance from the axis passing through the two electrodes of the abdominal electrode pair AP1 extends.

The electrode spacing is for each abdominal electrode pair AP1 , AP2 , AP3 , AP4 essentially the same. For example, the distance between the electrodes of the abdominal electrode pair AP1 and the distance between the electrodes of the abdominal electrode pair AP2 essentially the same. The two electrodes of the abdominal electrode pairs AP1 , AP2 , AP3 , AP4 are aligned essentially perpendicular to the electrodes of the corresponding other electrode pair and to the body axis.

The terminal switching section 22nd electrically connects a specific pair of electrodes selected from a plurality of electrodes to the constant current generating circuit 21 and electrically connects a specific pair of electrodes selected from a plurality of electrodes to the potential difference detection section 23 based on an instruction from the control section 10 . That through the connection switching section 22nd with the constant current generating section 21 Electrically connected pair of electrodes serve as a pair of constant current supply electrodes, and that through the terminal switching section 22nd with the potential difference detection section 23 Electrically connected pair of electrodes serve as a pair of potential difference detection electrodes. The through the terminal switching section 22nd Established electrical connection is switched differently during the measurement process.

The potential difference detection section 23 detects the potential difference between the electrodes of the electrode pair, that is, the potential difference detection electrode pair, which is determined by the terminal switching section 22nd with the potential difference detection section 23 is electrically connected, and outputs the detected potential difference to the control section 10 out. Thereby, the potential difference between the electrodes of the potential difference detection electrode pair is detected while the constant current is supplied to the subject.

Via the subject information input section 25th subject information specified in the calculation section 11th of the control section 10 arithmetic processing performed or used in similar processing. Subject information denotes information related to the subject and has at least one information item among age, gender and body type information. The body type information includes information on, for example, height and weight. The subject information input section 25th is for inputting the subject information and gives the inputted subject information to the control section 10 out. In the in 2 As shown in the functional block diagram, there is shown a case where the subject information input section 25th is arranged in the body fat meter, but this is not necessarily an essential configuration. Whether the subject information input section 25th provided or not is appropriately selected based on the kind of subject information contained in the calculation processing section 11th of the control section 10 performed arithmetic processing or in the like processing. The body type information of the subject information can be stored in the measuring unit 400 measured and from the body structure measurement section 402 or the body type information can be supplied by the subject himself via the subject information input section 25th can be entered.

The arithmetic processing section 11th has an impedance calculation part 111 and a fat mass calculation part 112 on. The impedance calculation part 111 calculates various impedances based on the current value of the constant current generated by the constant current generating section 21 is generated, and the potential difference information stored in the potential difference detection section 23 detected and through the control section 10 Will be received. The fat mass calculation part 112 calculates various fat masses based on the one in the impedance calculation part 111 obtained impedance information obtained from the body structure measuring section 402 body type information supplied and that from the subject information input section 25th supplied subject information as required. The fat mass calculation part 112 calculates the visceral fat mass and the subcutaneous fat mass on the subject's abdomen. The lean mass is also calculated based on such values.

The impedance calculation part 111 calculates two types of impedances based on that in the constant current generating section 21 generated current value and that in the potential difference detection section 23 detected potential difference. One of the two types of impedance is the lean mass on the subject's abdomen (hereinafter referred to as Zt). The other impedance may be the impedance representing the subcutaneous fat mass on the subject's abdomen (hereinafter referred to as Zs).

(wobei α1, α2, α3, β1 Koeffizienten sind).The fat mass calculation part 112 calculates the visceral fat mass, such as the visceral fat area (unit: cm ² ) of the subject, based on the calculated two types of impedance Zt, Zs and the horizontal width (2a) and the vertical width (2b) of the abdomen of the subject, which in the measuring unit 400 be measured. As a specific example, the visceral fat area Sv is calculated by the following equation (1), which represents the relationship between the two types of impedance Zt, Zs, the horizontal width (2a) and the vertical width (2b) of the abdomen and the visceral fat area: $$\text{Sv}=\mathrm{\alpha }1\times \mathrm{\pi }\times 2\text{a}\times 2\text{b}-\mathrm{<figure-callout\; id="2"\; label="\alpha "\; filenames="DE112010001148B4\_0012.png,DE112010001148B4\_0018.png"\; state="\{\{state\}\}">\alpha </figure-callout>}2\times \text{Zs}\times \text{a}-\mathrm{<figure-callout\; id="3"\; label="\alpha "\; filenames="DE112010001148B4\_0012.png,DE112010001148B4\_0022.png"\; state="\{\{state\}\}">\alpha </figure-callout>}3\times 1\text{/ Currently}-\mathrm{<figure-callout\; id="1"\; label="\beta "\; filenames="DE112010001148B4\_0005.png"\; state="\{\{state\}\}">\beta </figure-callout>}1$$

(where α1, α2, α3, β1 are coefficients).

(wobei α4, β2 Koeffizienten sind).The fat mass calculation part 112 calculates the subcutaneous fat mass such as the subcutaneous fat area (unit: cm ² ) of the subject based on the calculated impedance Zs and the horizontal width (2a) and the vertical width (2b) of the abdomen of the subject, which in the measuring unit 400 be calculated. As a specific example, the subcutaneous fat area Ss is calculated by the following equation (2), which represents the relationship among the impedance Zs, the horizontal width (2a) of the abdomen of the subject and the subcutaneous fat area: $$\text{Ss}=\mathrm{\alpha }\mathrm{4th}\times 2\text{a}\times \text{Zs}+\mathrm{<figure-callout\; id="2"\; label="\beta "\; filenames="DE112010001148B4\_0012.png,DE112010001148B4\_0018.png"\; state="\{\{state\}\}">\beta </figure-callout>}2$$

(where α4, β2 are coefficients).

(wobei α5, β3 Koeffizienten sind).The fat mass calculation part 112 calculates the lean mass such as the lean area (unit cm ² ) of the subject based on the calculated impedance Zt. Specifically, the lean mass FFM is calculated by the following equation (3), which shows the relationship between the impedance Zt and the lean mass represents: $$\text{FFM}=\mathrm{\alpha }5\times 1\text{/ Currently}+\mathrm{<figure-callout\; id="3"\; label="\beta "\; filenames="DE112010001148B4\_0012.png,DE112010001148B4\_0022.png"\; state="\{\{state\}\}">\beta </figure-callout>}3$$

(where α5, β3 are coefficients).

The coefficients in each of the equations (1), (2), (3) are defined by a regression formula based on measurement results obtained by the X-ray CT. The coefficients in each equation (1), (2), (3) can be defined for each age and / or gender.

The constant current generating section 21 generates a current flow between the electrodes of the pair of electrodes (hereinafter referred to as a pair of current electrodes) through the terminal switching section 22nd with the constant current generating section 21 is electrically connected. The potential difference detection section 23 detects a potential difference between the electrodes of the pair of electrodes (hereinafter referred to as a voltage electrode pair) created by the terminal switching section 22nd with the potential difference detection section 23 is electrically connected.

The following is the measurement processing in the device main body 100 referring to 3 specifically described. The in the flowchart of 3 processing shown is realized when the control section 10 that in the memory section 29 reads and executes stored program and each of the in 2 the sections shown.

According to 3 receives the control section 10 as input, the subject information including the physique information such as the horizontal width and the vertical width (2a, 2b) of the abdomen of the subject determined by the measuring unit 400 can be measured from the body structure measuring section 402 , and the like information (step S1). The received subject information is stored in the storage section 29 cached.

Then, the voltage difference measurement processing is performed by the control section 10 carried out (step S3). In particular, the control section measures 10 first the potential difference in order to calculate the impedance Zt. That is, the control section 10 selects one from an electrode H11 for the upper limb and an electrode F11 Pair of electrodes formed for the lower limbs and one made of one electrode H21 for the upper limb and an electrode F21 selects the pair of electrodes formed for the lower limb as the pair of current electrodes, and selects the pair of abdominal electrodes AP1 than the pair of voltage electrodes. The terminal switching section 22nd connects that from the electrode H11 for the upper limb and the electrode F11 pair of electrodes formed for the lower limbs and that from the electrode H21 for the upper limb and the electrode F21 pair of electrodes formed for the lower limbs are electrically connected to the constant current generating portion 21 based on the control of the control section 10 , and connects the pair of abdominal electrodes AP1 with the potential difference detection section 23 . The terminal switching section 22nd breaks the electrical connection between the unselected electrodes and the constant current generating section 21 and the potential difference detection section 23 based on the control of the control section 10 .

The constant current generating section 21 generates a current flow in the direction from the upper limb to the lower limb based on the control of the control section 10 . For example, the constant current generating section generates 21 a current flow from the electrode H11 for the upper limb and the electrode H21 for the upper limb to the electrode F11 for the lower limb and for the electrode F21 for the lower limbs. In this case, the terminal switching section has 22nd preferably a configuration according to which the electrode H11 for the upper limb and the electrode H21 for the upper limb to be shorted and the electrode F11 for the lower limb and the electrode F21 for the lower limb to be shorted. The constant current generating section 21 and the terminal switching section 22nd may have a configuration that a current flows from one of the electrodes H11 , H21 for the upper limb to one of the electrodes F11 , F21 for the lower limbs. In this state, the potential difference detection section detects 23 the potential difference between the electrodes of the abdominal electrode pair AP1 based on the control of the control section 10 .

The tax section 10 selects the abdominal electrode pairs AP2 , AP3 , AP4 one after the other as the pair of voltage electrodes. That is, the terminal switching section 22nd connects the abdominal electrode pairs AP2 , AP3 , AP4 based on the control of the control section 10 one after the other electrically with the potential difference detection section 23 . The potential difference detection section 23 then sequentially detects the potential difference between the electrodes of each of the abdominal electrode pairs AP2 , AP3 , AP4 based on the control of the control section 10 .

Then the control section measures 10 the potential difference to calculate the impedance Zs. That is, the control section 10 selects the pair of abdominal electrodes AP1 as the pair of current electrodes, and selects the pair of abdominal electrodes AP2 than the pair of voltage electrodes. The terminal switching section 22nd connects the pair of abdominal electrodes AP1 electrically with the constant current generating section 21 , and connects the pair of abdominal electrodes AP2 electrically to the potential difference detection section 23 based on the control of the control section 10 . The terminal switching section 22nd selectively electrically connects each pair of abdominal electrodes to the potential difference detection section 23 and cuts off electrical connection between the unselected pair of abdominal electrodes, the electrode for the upper limb and the electrode for the lower limb with the constant current generating section 21 and the potential difference detection section 23 based on the control of the control section 10 . The constant current generating section 21 creates a current flow between the electrodes of the abdominal electrode pair AP1 based on the control of the control section 10 . In this state, the potential difference detection section detects 23 the potential difference between the electrodes of the abdominal electrode pair AP2 based on the control of the control section 10 .

Then the control section dials 10 the pair of abdominal electrodes AP2 than the pair of current electrodes and the pair of abdominal electrodes AP1 than the pair of voltage electrodes. That is, the terminal switching section 22nd connects the pair of abdominal electrodes AP2 electrically with the constant current generating section 21 , and connects the pair of abdominal electrodes AP1 electrically to the potential difference detection section 23 based on the control of the control section 10 . The constant current generating section 21 creates a current flow between the electrodes of the abdominal electrode pair AP2 based on the control of the control section 10 . In this state, the potential difference detection section detects 23 the potential difference between the electrodes of the abdominal electrode pair AP1 based on the control of the control section 10 .

Then the control section dials 10 the pair of abdominal electrodes AP3 than the pair of current electrodes and the pair of abdominal electrodes AP4 than the pair of voltage electrodes. That is, the terminal switching section 22nd connects the pair of abdominal electrodes AP3 electrically with the constant current generating section 21 , and connects the pair of abdominal electrodes AP4 electrically to the potential difference detection section 23 based on the control of the control section 10 . The constant current generating section 21 creates a current flow between the electrodes of the abdominal electrode pair AP3 based on the control of the control section 10 . In this state, the potential difference detection section detects 23 the potential difference between the electrodes of the abdominal electrode pair AP4 based on the control of the control section 10 .

Then the control section dials 10 the pair of abdominal electrodes AP4 than the pair of current electrodes and the pair of abdominal electrodes AP3 than the pair of voltage electrodes. That is, the terminal switching section 22nd connects the pair of abdominal electrodes AP4 electrically with the constant current generating section 21 , and connects the pair of abdominal electrodes AP3 electrically to the potential difference detection section 23 based on the control of the control section 10 . The constant current generating section 21 creates a current flow between the electrodes of the abdominal electrode pair AP4 based on the control of the control section 10 . In this state, the potential difference detection section detects 23 the potential difference between the electrodes of the abdominal electrode pair AP3 based on the control of the control section 10 .

The impedance calculation part 111 calculates the impedance Zt based on the measurement result of the potential difference to calculate the impedance Zt, and calculates the impedance Zs based on the measurement result of the potential difference to calculate the impedance Zs (step S5).

That is, after the potential difference measurement for calculating the impedance Zt, the impedance calculating part calculates 111 the impedances Zt1 to Zt4 based on the current value of the through the constant current generating section 21 generated current flow and any potential difference generated by the potential difference detection section 23 is detected when detection of the potential difference with respect to all combinations of the electrode pairs is completed, that is, when detection of the potential difference between the electrodes of each abdominal electrode pair AP1 , AP2 , AP3 , AP4 is completed. The ones through the impedance calculation part 111 calculated values of the impedances Zt1 to Zt4 are stored in the storage section 29 cached.

After the potential difference measurement for calculating the impedance Zs, the impedance calculating part calculates 111 the impedances Zs1 to Zs4 based on the current value of the through the constant current generating section 21 generated current flow and any potential difference generated by the potential difference detection section 23 is detected when the power supply and the potential difference detection with respect to all combinations of the electrode pairs is completed. The ones through the impedance calculation part 111 calculated values of the impedances Zs1 to Zs4 are stored in the storage section 29 cached.

Then the fat mass calculation part calculates 112 the visceral fat mass Sv, the subcutaneous fat mass Ss, and the lean mass FFM as the fat mass based on that in step S1 by the control section 10 received body type information and the impedance calculated in step S5 (step S7).

The visceral fat area Sv is calculated by equation (1) using the body type information and the impedances Zt1 to Zt4 and the impedances Zs1 to Zs4. Here, the mean value of the four impedances Zt1 to Zt4 is substituted for the impedance Zt in equation (1), and the mean value of the four impedances Zs1 to Zs4 is substituted for the impedance Zs in equation (1).

The subcutaneous fat area Ss is calculated by equation (2) using the body type information and the impedances Zs1 to Zs4. The mean value of the four impedances Zs1 to Zs4 is replaced for the impedance Zs in equation (2).

The lean mass FFM is calculated by equation (3) using the impedances Zt1 to Zt4. Here, the mean value of the four impedances Zt1 to Zt4 is substituted for the impedance Zt in equation (3).

The presentation processing section 12th executes processing for displaying the lean mass calculated in step S7 on the display section 110 as the measurement result (step S9), so that the measurement result in step S11 on the display section 110 is shown. In the present example, the measurement result is shown on the display section in step S11 110 shown, but instead the data generated by the processing in step S9 can be output to a printer, a PC or a similar device, which is used as an external device 600 serves.

The ones in the main body of the device 100 the executed body fat measurement processing is then ended.

A typical value of the impedances Zt1 to Zt4 is approximately 5 Ω in each case. A typical value of the impedances Zs1 to Zs4 is approximately 15 Ω in each case.

Specific display processing of step S9 will be described below.

First embodiment

According to 4th instructs the representation processing section 12th in the first embodiment, an outer shape ellipse determining part 31 , a correction part 33 and a fat ellipse determination part 35 on. These functions can be implemented in the CPU by using the ones in the control section 10 arranged CPU is caused to be stored in the memory section 29 execute a stored display processing program, or at least a part of the functions can be implemented by computing circuits or hardware other than the CPU. In addition, the memory section has 29 an additional image database (DB) 291 which represents an area for storing additional images.

The "outer shape ellipse" denotes an ellipse to be displayed in which the ratio between the horizontal width (2a) and the vertical width (2b) of the abdomen of the subject represents the ratio (ellipticity) between the major axis and the minor axis. The outer shape ellipse can be regarded as a shape in which the subcutaneous fat on the abdominal back is not accurately represented in the abdominal cross section of the subject from side to back. An "additional image" is an image that represents the subcutaneous fat mass on the abdominal back in the subject's abdominal cross-section. In the abdominal cross section, it is assumed that the subcutaneous fat mass is larger at the posterior portion as the subcutaneous fat mass increases with respect to the visceral fat mass. Therefore, the additional image has a larger area when the subcutaneous fat mass increases with respect to the visceral fat mass. In the first example, the additional image is in the additional image database 291 pre-stored in association with the ratio of visceral fat mass and subcutaneous fat mass.

The outer shape ellipse determination section 31 determines the outer shape ellipse used to represent the measurement result of the subject based on the horizontal width (2a) and the vertical width (2b) of the abdomen, that is, that of the body structure measurement portion 402 supplied body structure information of the subject. The correction part 33 performs processing for correcting the information given by the outer shape ellipse determination section 31 certain outer shape ellipse in such a way that its shape better corresponds to the abdomen cross-section of the subject. In this case, this is done in the additional image database 291 saved additional image is used. The fat ellipse determination part 35 determines an elliptical shape based on the shape of the outer shape ellipse around which is determined by the fat mass calculation part 112 to visually represent calculated fat mass as the measurement result of the subject.

With reference to the 5 and 6A and 6B a first specific example (display processing 1-1) of the display processing of step S9 and the flow of display processing 1-1 according to the first embodiment will be described. According to 5 determines the outer shape ellipse determination section 31 in step S101, the outer shape ellipse used to represent the in 6A is used based on the horizontal width (2a) and the vertical width (2b) of the abdomen of the subject obtained in step S1 by the body structure measurement section 402 be measured. As in 6A is shown, the outer shape ellipse determination section determines 31 In step S101, an ellipse in which the ratio between the major axis and the minor axis is equal to the ratio between the horizontal width (2a) and the vertical width (2b) of the abdomen of the subject, as the outer shape ellipse approximately corresponding to the outer shape of the subject, where the The transverse diameter of the major axis and the longitudinal diameter of the minor axis corresponds. In step S101, one of the diameters (for example, the major axis) of the outer shape ellipse is held at a predetermined fixed value in advance, so that the outer shape ellipse determination part 31 determine the outer shape ellipse by determining the other diameter (e.g., minor axis) based on the ratio between the horizontal width (2a) and the vertical width (2b) of the subject's abdomen. In this case, a plurality of types of additional images corresponding to the length of the fixed diameter are preferably stored in the additional image database 291 saved.

In step S103, the correction part calculates 33 the proportion of the subcutaneous fat mass and the visceral fat mass, which in step S7 by the fat mass calculation part 112 were calculated, extracts the additional image stored in association with the proportions from the additional image database 291 , and adds it in step S107 to the outer shape ellipse determined in step S101, as shown in FIG 6B is shown to correct the outer shape ellipse determined in step S101. As a result, the outer shape approximately corresponding to the cross-sectional shape of the abdomen of the subject is generated.

In step S109, the fat ellipse determination part calculates 35 the proportion of the individual fat masses in relation to the sum of the subcutaneous fat mass, the visceral fat mass and the fat-free mass (hereinafter simply referred to as “sum”), which in step S7 by the fat mass calculation part 112 were calculated, and determined for each fat mass an ellipse with the same center as that of the outer formula ellipse, which represents the respective proportion with respect to the sum, the outer formula ellipse corresponds to the sum, as in 6C is shown. As in 6C is shown, determines in step S109, when the fat-free mass, the visceral fat mass and the subcutaneous fat mass are successively displayed starting from the inside, the fat ellipse determination part 35 the ellipse in which the value obtained by dividing the major axis and minor axis of the outer shape ellipse by the fraction of the lean mass with respect to the sum is set as the major axis and the minor axis of the ellipse representing the fat free mass (ellipse 1). The fat ellipse determination section 35 then determines the ellipse at which the value obtained by dividing the major axis and the minor axis of the outer shape ellipse by the proportion of the fat-free mass and the visceral fat mass with respect to the sum, as the major axis and the minor axis of the ellipse representing the fat-free mass and the visceral fat mass (Ellipse 2) is set. The ellipse 1 and the ellipse 2 are superimposed on the outer shape ellipse, the center position being the same in order to show the proportions of the fat-free mass, the visceral fat mass and the subcutaneous fat mass starting from the inside one after the other.

In step S111, the presentation processing section executes 12th a character processing to define the in 6C shown figure for the measurement result display obtained through the above processings as display data, and ends a series of processings. In step S111, in addition to the in 6C In the figure shown in the figure, a drawing process for displaying the measured value of the subcutaneous fat mass or the like, and a value (for example proportion) obtained by processing the measured value can be carried out.

The principle of a second specific example (display processing 1-2) of the display processing of step S9 according to the first embodiment will now be described with reference to FIG 7th described. 7th Fig. 13 is a view in which a CT (computed tomography) image of the abdomen cross section and the outer shape ellipse are superposed. As in 7th As shown, the actual abdominal cross-section has a subcutaneous fat portion on the abdominal back that extends beyond the ellipse. That is, the vertical and horizontal widths of the The elliptical area obtained in the subject's abdomen does not reflect the subcutaneous fat percentage on the abdominal back and the difference between the cross-sectional area of the actual abdomen, which is the total area for a case where the subcutaneous fat mass, visceral fat mass and lean mass are all calculated as one area and the elliptical area represents the subcutaneous fat area on the abdominal rear side. The subcutaneous fat fraction on the abdominal rear side that is missing in the outer shape ellipse corresponds to the area of this difference and can be compared with the in 7th represented shape, the shape being defined by the horizontal width (2a) and the vertical width (2b) of the abdomen of the subject, i.e. with the area of the difference and the horizontal width (2a) and the vertical width (2b) of the Abdomen of the subject as a parameter. Therefore, by adding the image specified with these parameters to the outer shape ellipse as an additional image, the outer shape ellipse can be corrected into a shape approximating the abdomen cross section of the subject. According to a second example, the additional image is in the additional image database 291 pre-stored in association with the difference area and the horizontal width and the vertical width of the abdomen of the subject, ie the parameters.

The display processing 1-2 will now be described with reference to FIG 8th described. According to 8th determines the outer-shape ellipse determination part in step S201 31 the outer shape ellipse based on the horizontal width (2a) and the vertical width (2b) of the abdomen of the subject obtained by the body structure measurement section in step S1 402 were measured. The processing here is the same as that of step S101 of the display processing 1-1.

In step S203, the correction part calculates 33 the area (S1) of the ellipse defining the horizontal width (2a) and the vertical width (2b) of the subject as the major axis and the minor axis, respectively, which correspond to the outer shape ellipse determined in step S201 to become the outer shape ellipse determined in step S101 correct. In step S205, the sum (S2) is calculated from the individual areas of the subcutaneous fat mass, the visceral fat mass and the fat-free mass, which is calculated in step S7 by the fat mass calculation part 112 were calculated. In step S207, the correction part calculates 33 the difference between the area S1 and the area S2.

In step S209, the correction part extracts 33 from the additional image database 291 the additional image associated with the area difference (S2-S1) calculated in step S207 and the horizontal width (2a) and vertical width (2b) of the abdomen of the subject obtained in step S1 by the body structure measurement section 402 has been calculated, and adds it in step S211 to the outer shape ellipse determined in step S201. This creates an outer shape that approximately corresponds to the cross section of the abdomen of the subject.

Subsequently, in steps S213 and S215, the same processings are carried out as in steps S109 and S111 of the display processing 1-1, whereupon the series of processings is ended.

According to a third specific example of the display processing of step S9 according to the first embodiment, the storage section has 29 an area for storing an in 9 shown conversion table instead of the additional image database 291 on. In the 9 The conversion table shown is a table in which the relationship between the impedance value and the fat thickness is defined, and is used for converting the value by the impedance calculation part 111 calculated impedance value is used in the thickness of the subcutaneous fat at the relevant position.

The third specific example (display processing 1-3) of the display processing of step S9 and the flow of display processing 1-3 according to the first embodiment will be described below with reference to FIG 10 and the 11A and 11B described. According to 10 determines the outer shape ellipse determination part 31 in step S301 the in 11A The outer shape ellipse shown based on the horizontal width (2a) and the vertical width (2b) of the abdomen of the subject obtained by the body structure measurement section in step S1 402 were measured. This processing is the same as in step S101 of the display processing 1-1.

In step 303, the correction part determines 33 the reference positions and the electrode positions on the outer shape ellipse. The reference positions can consist of three points, the two points of intersection with the axis extending through the center point and one point of intersection with an axis extending orthogonally to the above-mentioned axis, which is shown in FIG 11B are represented by black circles and correspond to three of the four vertices of the outer shape ellipse. As described above, the electrode pairs AP1 until AP4 through the strap 300 pressed against the abdominal back. For the electrode positions on the outer shape ellipse, the position corresponding to each pair of electrodes is shown in 11B represented by a white circle is determined as the electrode position, it being assumed that each pair of electrodes divides the arc length of the ellipse between the vertices at equal intervals.

In step S305, the correction part extracts 33 the fat thickness at each electrode position determined in step S303 from the in 9 conversion table shown based on the electrode pairs AP1 , AP2 , AP3 , AP4 associated impedances Zs1 to Zs4, which in step S5 in the impedance calculation part 111 and draw the shape of the abdominal back in step S307. As a specific example of the drawing process executed in step S307, the fat thickness extracted in step S305 from the conversion table is displayed as the fat position at each electrode position of the outer shape ellipse, thereby drawing a three-dimensional spline curve connecting the reference positions and the fat positions at each electrode position, as in 11C is shown. The three-dimensional spline curve is not the only possibility, but the reference positions and the fat positions at each electrode position can also be connected sequentially by line segments.

Then, in steps S309 and S311, the same processings as those in steps S109 and S111 of the display processing 1-1 are carried out, whereupon a series of processings is completed.

When the above-described display processings 1-1 to 1-3 by the display processing section 12th of the device main body 100 According to the first embodiment, the proportion of subcutaneous fat, visceral fat and the like can be displayed in the image of a shape reflecting the measurement result, ie a shape approximately corresponding to the abdominal cross section of the subject. In this case, the person taking the measurement can more accurately recognize the measurement result of the subject by displaying the measurement value and the proportion of subcutaneous fat and the like at the same time. In particular, the shape of the subcutaneous fat on the abdominal back, ie at the position where the belt 300 is attached can be represented in the above-described processings. According to such a representation, the measurement person can precisely recognize the state of the subcutaneous fat, visceral fat, etc. of the subject as compared with the case where the measurement results are simply displayed within a circle or an ellipse, so that the subject can effectively is motivated to improve obesity, which is the focus of lifestyle related diseases.

According to the above description, the electrode pairs AP1 until AP4 Fixed tightly to the abdominal back of the subject by the strap 300 is attached in such a way that the pressure element 310 pressed against the abdominal back of the subject, as in 2 is shown. Therefore, the portion of the outer shape ellipse that specifically corresponds to the abdominal back is made by the correction part 33 corrected for subcutaneous fat provided that the subcutaneous fat is measured on the back of the subject. The belt 300 however, it can also be attached so that the electrode pairs AP1 until AP4 be fixed tightly to other parts of the abdomen, e.g. on the abdominal side of the abdomen. In this case, the correction part corrects 33 the section corresponding to the abdominal side of the abdomen on the pairs of electrodes AP1 until AP4 positions corresponding to the outer shape ellipse. The operating section 120 of the device main body 100 preferably has buttons or similar elements for entering the position at which the electrode pairs AP1 until AP4 are fixed. The correction part 33 corrects the electrode pairs AP1 until AP4 corresponding positions of the outer shape ellipse based on the input from the keys by the method described above. In this way, too, a shape that better corresponds to the abdomen cross section of the subject can be displayed in a manner similar to that in the display processings 1-1 to 1-3, so that the person performing the measurement can recognize the measurement result of the subject more precisely.

Second embodiment

According to 12th instructs the representation processing section 12th in the second embodiment, a subcutaneous fat image selection part 41 , a visceral fat image selection part 43 , a determination part 45 and a synthesizing part 47 on. These functions can be implemented in the CPU by using the ones in the control section 10 arranged CPU is caused to be stored in the memory section 29 execute a stored display processing program, or at least a part of the functions can be implemented by computing circuits or hardware other than the CPU. In addition, the memory section has 29 in the second embodiment, a subcutaneous fat image database 292 , that is, an area for storing the subcutaneous fat image, as will be described later, and a visceral fat image database 293 , that is, an area for storing the visceral fat image, as will be described later.

The "subcutaneous fat image" means an image in which the image portion showing the visceral fat and the fat-free mass of the CT image of the abdominal cross section is deleted by image processing, and means an image having a shape corresponding to the abdominal cross section in which the subcutaneous fat over the entire abdominal cross-section is shown. The "visceral fat picture" denotes an image showing the proportion of visceral fat and fat-free mass of the CT image of the abdominal cross-section. The CT image of the abdominal cross section can then be obtained by superimposing the visceral fat image on the subcutaneous fat image.

In the second embodiment, the subcutaneous fat image and the visceral fat image are stored in the subcutaneous fat image database 292 or in the visceral fat image database 293 pre-stored. As in the 13th and 14th is shown, the image data and the subject information are associated with each other in the subcutaneous fat image database 292 and in the visceral fat image database 293 saved. In particular, saves according to 13th the subcutaneous fat image database 292 a plurality of image data in association with the vertical and horizontal width of the abdomen of the subject in the CT image, which becomes the original of the subcutaneous fat image, and the subcutaneous fat mass (subcutaneous fat area) measured for the relevant subject, as the subject information for all data of the subcutaneous fat image. According to 14th stores the visceral fat image database 293 a plurality of image data in association with the vertical and horizontal width of the abdomen of the subject in the CT image, which becomes the original of the visceral fat image, and the visceral fat mass (visceral fat area) measured for the relevant subject, as the subject information for all data of the visceral fat image. This data is pre-stored in every database. In addition, the subject information assigned to the image data is measured when the CT image is captured and assigned when the image data is stored in the database.

Based on the horizontal width (2a) and vertical width (2b) that are those of the body structure measurement section 402 represent supplied body structure information, and that by the fat mass calculation part 112 the subcutaneous fat image selection part selects the calculated subcutaneous fat mass of the subject 41 the subcutaneous fat image associated with the subject information that most closely corresponds to these values among those in the subcutaneous fat image database 292 stored subcutaneous fat images as an image used for representing the measurement results of the subject. Based on the horizontal width (2a) and vertical width (2b) that are those of the body structure measurement section 402 represent supplied body structure information, and that by the fat mass calculation part 112 the visceral fat image selection part selects the calculated visceral fat mass 43 the visceral fat image associated with the subject information that most closely corresponds to these values among those in the visceral fat image database 293 stored visceral fat images as an image that is used to represent the measurement results of the subject.

The decision part 45 compares the selected subcutaneous fat image and the selected visceral fat image and decides whether they are suitable for a combination of these images. The decision part 45 depending on the decision result, outputs a control signal instructing the selection of the appropriate image to the subcutaneous fat image selection part 41 and / or the visceral fat image selection part 43 out. The synthesizing part 47 synthesizes the selected subcutaneous fat image and the selected visceral fat image according to the decision of the decision part 45 .

With reference to FIG 15th and the 16A until 16C a specific example (display processing 2) of the display processing of step S9 according to the second embodiment and the flow of display processing 2 will be described. According to 15th selects the subcutaneous fat image selection part in step S401 41 based on the horizontal width and the vertical width of the abdomen of the subject obtained in step S1 by the body structure measurement section 402 were measured, and that in step S7 by the fat mass calculating part 112 calculated subcutaneous fat mass, the subcutaneous fat image associated with the subject information that most closely corresponds to these values from the subcutaneous fat image database 292 out ( 16A) . In step S403, the visceral fat image selection part selects 43 based on the horizontal width and the vertical width of the abdomen of the subject obtained in step S1 by the body structure measurement section 402 were measured, and that in step S7 by the fat mass calculating part 112 calculated visceral fat mass, the visceral fat image associated with the subject information that most closely corresponds to these values from the visceral fat image database 293 out ( 16B) .

In step S405, the decision part decides 45 the suitability of the combination of the subcutaneous fat image selected in step S401 and the visceral fat image selected in step S403. In particular, the decision is based on comparing the vertical and horizontal widths of the subject's abdomen in the CT image, which represent the subject information associated with these images, and by checking whether the vertical and horizontal widths associated with the visceral fat image are smaller as the vertical and horizontal widths associated with the subcutaneous fat image. If the vertical and horizontal widths associated with the visceral fat image are greater than the vertical and horizontal widths associated with the subcutaneous fat image, the visceral fat image may extend beyond the abdominal cross-section when the images are overlaid. Therefore, the vertical and horizontal widths of the subject's abdomen become those associated with the image data Information used to check the appropriateness of the size of the subcutaneous fat image and the visceral fat image.

If in the decision part 45 If it is decided in step S405 that the combination of the images is inappropriate (YES in step S405), the processing jumps back to step S403, where the visceral fat image selection part 43 selects the visceral fat image that most closely corresponds to the subject information corresponding to the horizontal width (2a) and the vertical width (2b) that of the body structure measurement section 402 represent supplied body structure information, and that in the fat mass calculation part 112 calculated visceral fat mass of the subject. The selection in step S403 is repeated until the decision part 45 in step S405, it is decided that the overlay is appropriate, and the visceral fat image associated with the subject information corresponding to the measured vertical and horizontal widths and the visceral fat mass of the subject is selected.

If in the decision part 45 it is decided that the combination of these images is appropriate (YES in step S405), the synthesizing part performs 47 execute image synthesis processing to superimpose the visceral fat image on the subcutaneous fat image in step S407 ( 16 (C) ). In step S409, the presentation processing section executes 12th a character processing to define the in 16 (C) for the measurement result display obtained in the above processings as the display data, thereby completing a series of processings.

The processing sequence of steps S401 and S403 may be reversed. In this case, if in the decision part 45 If it is judged that the superposition of the selected subcutaneous fat image and the selected visceral fat image is inappropriate, the processing for selecting the subcutaneous fat image in the subcutaneous fat image selection part 41 repeated until a suitable image is selected.

In the above example, the visceral fat image is superimposed on the subcutaneous fat image in step S407 to generate the display data, however, the image synthesis processing is not always required, but the display data for displaying the subcutaneous fat image and the visceral fat image determined in the processings carried out up to that point may be can be generated without overlaying.

The above-described display processing 2 is performed in the display processing section 12th of the device main body 100 According to the second embodiment, carried out such that the CT image that better corresponds to the subject can be provided based on the measurement value obtained by the impedance method even when the CT photographing function is performed on the device main body 100 is not provided or the CT photographing device is not connected. With such a representation, the person performing the measurement can visually recognize the state of the subcutaneous fat, visceral fat and the like of the subject other than the case where the measurement result is represented only by numerical values and graphs, so that the subject is effectively motivated to improve obesity, which is the focus of lifestyle related diseases.

In the second embodiment, the subcutaneous fat image and the visceral fat image are separately stored in the database and configured by respectively selecting and superimposing the image that approximates the abdomen cross section of the subject based on the body type information and the measurement result of the subject. Therefore, an image more closely corresponding to the abdomen cross section of the subject can be provided with a smaller number of data as compared with the case where simply storing the image data of the abdomen cross section itself.

In the above example, the vertical and horizontal widths of the subject's abdomen and the measured subcutaneous fat mass (area) of the subject, as subject information, become the subcutaneous fat image data in the subcutaneous fat image database 292 assigned, but the subject information assigned to the image data is not limited to this information. For example, the visceral fat mass, the fat-free mass, the fraction of the subcutaneous fat mass and the visceral fat mass, the fraction of the subcutaneous fat mass and the lean mass, the fraction of the visceral fat mass and the lean mass, several pieces of information thereof, etc. can be assigned. In this case, the subcutaneous fat image selection part selects 41 in step S401 the corresponding subcutaneous fat image using the assigned value or by calculating the assigned proportion of the fat mass that was calculated in step S7. Information such as the sex, the age, the height or the weight of the subject can be assigned to the subcutaneous fat image data. In this case, the subcutaneous fat image selection part 41 in step S401, select the corresponding subcutaneous fat image using the above information of the subject obtained from the subject information input section 25th Will be received. The same applies to the visceral fat picture.

Therefore, when the image data that most closely corresponds to this information of the subject is selected because of the amount of subject information associated with the stored image data is larger, the selected image will better match the shape of the subject's abdominal cross-section.

The visceral fat image data can each be grouped for a constant range of the vertical and horizontal widths of the abdomen of the subject and stored in the visceral fat image database 293 be pre-stored. In step S403, the visceral fat image selection section 43 then select the visceral fat image from the group suitable for the horizontal and vertical widths of the abdomen of the subject associated with the subcutaneous fat image selected in step S401, and the decision in step S405 may be omitted.

In addition, in the above example, when it is decided in step S405 that the combination is inappropriate, one of two images is selected again, the synthesizing part 47 however, can perform the synthesizing after performing image processing to reduce (or enlarge) one image based on the vertical and horizontal widths of the subject associated with both images so as to match the size of the other image. The number of image data stored in the database can then be further reduced.

Third embodiment

According to 17th instructs the representation processing section 12th in the third embodiment, a subcutaneous fat level determination part 51 , a visceral fat level determination part 53 , a plot positioning part 55 , a format reading part 57 and a writing part 59 on. These functions can be implemented in the CPU by using those in the control section 10 arranged CPU is caused to be stored in the memory section 10 to execute a stored program for display processing, or at least a part of the functions can be implemented by arithmetic circuits and hardware other than the CPU. In addition, the memory section has 29 in the second embodiment, a subcutaneous fat threshold storage part 294 , which is a storage area for a subcutaneous fat threshold value described later, a visceral fat threshold value storage part 295 , which is a storage area for a visceral fat threshold value described later, a measurement result storage part 296 for storing measurement results, for example the visceral fat mass calculated as the result of the measurement, and a format memory part 297 for storing a display format described later. The format data that the format of 18th represent are in the format storage part 297 pre-stored.

According to 18th has the format used for display in the third embodiment: an area 701 , in which the subcutaneous fat mass and the visceral fat mass of the measurement results are used as indices for displaying the measurement result at the position on the matrix defined for the level of each index, an area 702 for displaying the CT image of the abdominal cross section, which is pre-stored in association with the measurement result of the subject, as an image diagram, an area 703 to show the visceral fat area and an area 704 for displaying the subcutaneous fat area of the abdomen as measured values, and an area 705 for displaying a human outline in which the abdomen is shown as the approximate measurement position of the subject. The CT image of several representative abdominal cross-sections representing each position of the matrix of the area 701 is also stored as the format data. The format reading part 57 reads the format data from the format memory part in the display processing 297 out.

The subcutaneous fat threshold storage part 294 and the visceral fat threshold storage part 295 save the threshold values for a classification that is used for the matrix display in the area 701 is required than the subcutaneous fat threshold or the visceral fat threshold. The threshold values can be specific fat masses (e.g. area) or a percentage (e.g. area percentage) in relation to the entire abdomen.

The subcutaneous fat level determination part 51 and the visceral fat level determination part 53 compare the measured subcutaneous fat mass and the measured visceral fat mass with those in the subcutaneous fat threshold storage part 294 and in the visceral fat threshold storage part 295 stored thresholds to determine the level of each index. The plot positioning part 55 determines the plot position representing the position on the matrix representing the measurement result based on the determined level of subcutaneous fat mass and the level of visceral fat mass.

The writing part 59 executes processing for displaying the measurement result using the read format.

Referring to FIG 19th a specific example (display processing 3) of the display processing of step S9 according to the third embodiment will be described. According to 19th reads the format reading part 57 the format data of 18th in step S501.

In step S503, the subcutaneous fat level determination part compares 51 the subcutaneous fat mass calculated in step S7 with that in the subcutaneous fat threshold value storage part 294 stored subcutaneous fat threshold to determine the level to which the calculated subcutaneous fat mass is assigned. Similarly, in step S505, the visceral fat level determination part compares 53 the visceral fat mass calculated in step S7 with that in the visceral fat threshold value storage part 295 stored visceral fat threshold to determine the level to which the calculated visceral fat mass is associated.

In step S507, the plot position determination part determines 55 the position defined according to the stage determined in steps S503, S505 on the matrix configured by each index as the plot position, and in step S509 the writing part performs 59 an image synthesis of the area 701 with respect to the format of the read in step S501 18th out. In particular, the writing part leads 59 perform an image synthesis for displaying a CT image of a representative abdomen cross-section which is assigned to each position in advance at each position of the matrix, and also for displaying an image (image of a solid circular line in the example of FIG 20th ), which shows the plot position and is superimposed on the CT image at a position corresponding to the plot position.

In step S511, the subcutaneous fat mass and the visceral fat mass are stored as those in the measurement result storage part 296 stored previous measurement results are read out, their level is determined similarly to steps S503 to S509, the plotting position is determined, and image synthesis is carried out, similar to step S509, to generate the image representing the plot position representing the previous measurement result at the corresponding position on the matrix superimposed on the CT image. The previous measurement result is preferably represented by an image (image of a dashed circular line in the example of 20th ), which is different from that for the current measurement result. As in 20th is shown, the image synthesis is more preferably carried out to generate an image (arrow image in the example of 20th ), which shows a transition from the position of the previous measurement result to the position of the current measurement result in an overlapping manner on the matrix. In step S511, the level determined based on the current calculation result and the level of the previous measurement result are set in the display processing section 12th compared, the current measurement result possibly not being displayed if there is no difference between them, ie if there is no change in the current state of the abdominal fat with respect to the previous state.

In step S513, the writing part synthesizes 59 the format data around the visceral fat mass and the subcutaneous fat mass calculated in step S7 in the areas 703 , 704 of the format. In addition, the writing part reads 59 in step S515 the corresponding image data and synthesizes them into the format data in order to also include the CT image corresponding to the position determined as the plotting position in step S507 on the matrix in the area 702 of the format.

In step S517, the display processing section executes 12th executes character processing for defining the format data for representation of the measurement result obtained in the above processings as the representation data, and terminates a series of processings.

When the above-described display processing 3 in the display processing section 12th of the device main body 100 According to the third embodiment, the measurement result of the subject having a general tendency can be displayed by only the processing for comparing with the threshold value in the apparatus main body 100 is performed. In this case, the change tendency of the subcutaneous fat mass, visceral fat mass and the like of the subject can be shown by displaying the transition from the foregoing measurement result as in the above example. In addition, as in 18th the CT image corresponding to the measurement result of the subject, that is, the CT image approximating the abdomen cross section of the subject, can be provided even when the CT photographing function is not installed on the apparatus main body or when the CT photographing device is not connected by using the format representing the representative CT image in advance. With such a representation, the person performing the measurement can visually recognize the state of the subcutaneous fat, visceral fat and the like of the subject, unlike the case where the measurement result is represented only by numbers and graphs. In addition, the state of the subcutaneous fat, visceral fat and the like of the subject can be relatively grasped by comparing these states with other CT images. As a result, the subject is effectively more motivated to improve obesity, which is the focus of lifestyle related diseases.

In the case of the above example, the CT image of the abdominal cross section is stored, however, the CT image of the subject itself need not be stored, but a synthesized image may be stored as shown in the second embodiment.

As in 18th As shown, the person taking the measurement can more easily grasp the condition of the abdomen cross section of the subject, so that the subject is effectively more motivated to improve the obesity that is the center of gravity of lifestyle related diseases by also showing a human outline which is the approximate measurement position.

In the example above, the representative CT image of each position on the matrix is in the area 701 however, at least the CT image corresponding to the position determined as the plotting position in step S507 need only be displayed, and only the CT image corresponding to the position determined as the plotting position can be displayed , and the CT image of its surroundings can be displayed.

The format of 18th is just an example, and the format is not limited to this. For example, the measurement result of the subject is displayed at the position on the matrix in which the vertical axis is the level of visceral fat mass and the horizontal axis is the level of subcutaneous fat mass in the area 701 represents, however, the vertical and horizontal axes of the matrix are not limited to these contents and may include the vertical and horizontal widths of the abdomen, the lean mass, the proportions of visceral and subcutaneous fat mass, the circumferential length of the abdomen (waist circumference), etc. represent. In this case, it is assumed that the threshold value or the like of the subject required for ranking the measurement value according to the vertical and horizontal axes of the matrix in the storage section 29 is stored. In addition, similar to the CT image, the one in the area 702 The represented measurement result of the subject corresponds to the image corresponding to the measurement result or the subject information, such as gender and age, from the prestored representative images for the area 705 represented human outline. The format only needs to represent the measurement result in a matrix that contains at least the area 701 the in 18th contains areas shown and need not have other areas.

The embodiments described herein are exemplary in all aspects and should not be construed in a limiting sense. The scope of the invention is not to be limited by the foregoing description, but is defined by the appended claims, and modifications and equivalent embodiments are feasible within the scope of the invention as defined by the claims.

List of reference symbols

10

Tax section

11th

Arithmetic processing section

12th

Display processing section

21

Constant current generating section

22nd

Connection switching section

23

Potential difference detection section

25th

Subject information input section

26th

Communication section

28

Power supply section

29

Memory section

31

Exterior shape ellipse determination part

33

Correction part

35

Fat ellipse determination part

41

Subcutaneous fat image selection part

43

Visceral fat image selection part

45

Decision part

47

Synthesizing part

51

Subcutaneous fat level determination part

53

Visceral fat level determination part

55

Plot position determination part

57

Format reading part

59

Writing part

100

Device main body

110

Display unit

111

Impedance calculation part

112

Fat mass calculation part

120

Operating section

201, 202, 203, 204

Clamp

291

Additional image database

292

Subcutaneous fat image database

293

Visceral fat image database

294

Subcutaneous fat threshold storage part

295

Visceral fat threshold storage part

296

Measurement result storage part

297

Format storage part

300

belt

310

Pressure element

320

Strap section

330

buckle

400

Measuring unit

401

Cursor holding section

401a

Cursor part for measuring the horizontal width

401b

Cursor part for measuring the vertical width

402

Body construction measurement section

500

plug

600

external device

701 to 705

Area

AP1, AP2, AP3, AP4

abdominal electrode pair

H11, H21, F11, F21

electrode

Claims (14)

Health management device with: first measuring means (400) for measuring a vertical width and a horizontal width of an abdomen of a subject; second measuring means (300, 100, 11) for measuring a fat value, which is a value related to visceral fat, subcutaneous fat and lean mass of a subject, using an impedance; and display processing means (100, 12) for executing processing for displaying an abdominal cross-sectional image representing a shape corresponding to an outer shape of the abdomen of the subject and a shape corresponding to a fat state of the abdomen on a display as processing for specifying an abdomen cross-sectional image of the subject having corresponds to the measurement results of the first measuring device and the second measuring device, and for displaying the image on a display, wherein the processing performed by the representation processing device comprises: first determination processing for determining an elliptical shape defined by a vertical width and a horizontal width measured by the first measuring means, and a second determination processing for determining an elliptical shape representing a visceral fat mass, a subcutaneous fat mass and a fat-free mass, respectively, with respect to the elliptical shape based on the respective proportions of the visceral fat mass, the subcutaneous fat mass and the lean mass with respect to an abdominal cross section of the subject. Device according to Claim 1 wherein the processing executed by the representation processing means further comprises: correction processing for correcting an area at a position where the fat value is measured on the elliptical shape. Device according to Claim 2 , further comprising: first storage means (291) for storing figure data corresponding to subcutaneous fat in association with the ratio of the subcutaneous fat and the visceral fat, the correction processing including processing for correcting the elliptical shape by extracting the figure data corresponding to the measured proportion of the subcutaneous fat and the Associated with visceral fat from the first storage means and for adding the figure representing the subcutaneous fat represented by the data to an area corresponding to the measured position on the elliptical shape. Device according to Claim 2 , further comprising: second storage means (291) for storing figure data representing hypodermic fat in association with the vertical width and the horizontal width of the abdomen, the correction processing comprising processing for correcting the elliptical shape by extracting the figure data that of the measured vertical Width and the measured horizontal width of the abdomen of the subject are assigned, from the second storage means, wherein an area of the figure data is a difference between a sum of areas indicating the measured visceral fat, the subcutaneous fat and the lean mass, and the area of the elliptical And adding the figure representing the hypodermic fat indicated by the data to an area corresponding to the measured position on the elliptical shape. Device according to Claim 2 wherein the correction processing includes processing for correcting the elliptical shape by moving in a normal direction by a distance according to the information for each area corresponding to the position where the fat value is measured on the elliptical shape determined in the first determination processing. Health management device with: first measuring means (400) for measuring a vertical width and a horizontal width of an abdomen of a subject; second measuring means (300, 100, 11) for measuring a fat value or a value related to visceral fat, subcutaneous fat and fat-free mass of a subject using an impedance; third storage means (292) for storing a plurality of photographed images of the subcutaneous fat in association with the vertical width and horizontal width of the abdomen of the subject and the measured fat value related to the subcutaneous fat mass of the subject; and fourth storage means (293) for storing a plurality of photographed images of visceral fat in association with the vertical width and horizontal width of the abdomen of the subject and the measured fat value related to the visceral fat mass of the subject; and display processing means (100, 12) for executing processing for displaying an abdomen cross-sectional image showing a shape corresponding to an outer shape of the abdomen of the subject and a shape corresponding to a fat state of the abdomen on a display as processing for specifying an abdomen cross-sectional image of the subject having Corresponds to measurement results of the first measuring device and the second measuring device, and to be shown on the display, wherein the processing performed by the representation processing device comprises: first extraction processing for extracting a photographed image of the subcutaneous fat from the third storage means based on the measured vertical width and the measured horizontal width of the abdomen of the subject and at least measured information related to the subcutaneous fat of the subject; second extraction processing for extracting a photographed image of the visceral fat from the fourth storage means based on the measured vertical width and the measured horizontal width of the abdomen of the subject and at least measured information related to the visceral fat of the subject; and processing of displaying as the abdomen cross-sectional image based on the photographed image extracted in the first extraction processing and the photographed image extracted in the second extraction processing. Device according to Claim 6 wherein the processing for displaying as the abdominal cross-sectional image comprises synthesizing processing for performing processing for superimposing the photographed image of the visceral fat on the extracted photographed image of the subcutaneous fat. Device according to Claim 6 , wherein the fat value stored in the third storage device and in the fourth storage device in association with the photographed image is at least one value selected from the measured visceral fat mass, the subcutaneous fat mass, the lean mass of the subject and the proportion of any combinations of the above fat masses. A health management apparatus comprising: first measuring means (400) for measuring a vertical width and a horizontal width of an abdomen of a subject; second measuring means (300, 100, 11) for measuring a fat value or a value related to visceral fat, subcutaneous fat and fat-free mass of a subject using an impedance; fifth storage means (297) for storing an image of the abdomen cross section of each condition defined by a first index and a second index using the measurement result of the first measuring device or the measurement result of the second measuring device, respectively; and display processing means (100, 12) for performing processing for specifying an abdomen cross-sectional image of the subject and displaying on the display; wherein the processing executed by the representation processing means comprises: a level determination processing for determining each level of the measured information on the first index and the information on the second index; and processing for arranging the image corresponding to the measured information of the image stored in the fifth storage means and the image having at least the perimeter in a space defining the first index and the second index as the vertical axis and the horizontal axis, and for displaying the image corresponding to the measured information differently from other images. Device according to Claim 9 wherein in the processing for arranging and displaying the image corresponding to the measured information of the image stored in the fifth storage means and the image corresponding to at least the perimeter in a space having the first index and the second index as the vertical axis and defining the horizontal axis, also displaying a human outline with the image corresponding to the measured information. Device according to Claim 9 wherein in the processing for arranging and displaying the image corresponding to the measured information of the image stored in the fifth storage means and the image corresponding to at least the perimeter in a space having the first index and the second index as the vertical axis and defines the horizontal axis, and a value representing the measurement result is represented with the image corresponding to the measured information. Device according to Claim 9 , further comprising: a sixth memory device (296) for storing the measurement result, with processing for arranging and displaying the image corresponding to the measured information of the image stored in the fifth memory device and the image having at least the circumference in a space which defines the first index and the second index as the vertical axis and the horizontal axis, an image corresponding to a measurement result previously stored in the sixth storage device, and an image corresponding to a measurement result currently stored in the fifth storage device, respectively different from other images, with the transition between them clearly shown. Device according to Claim 9 , wherein the first index and the second index represent at least one of the following information: the vertical width and the horizontal width of the abdominal cross-section, the information related to the visceral fat, the information related to the subcutaneous fat, the information related to the lean mass in Related information, the proportions of visceral and subcutaneous fat mass and the abdominal circumference length. Device according to one of the Claims 1 , 6th or 9 , further comprising: a first pair of electrodes (H11, H21, F11, F21); a second pair of electrodes (AP1, AP2, AP3, AP4); a power generating section (21) for generating a power to be supplied between the electrodes of the first pair of electrodes; and a potential difference detection section (23) for detecting a potential difference between electrodes of the second pair of electrodes while current flows between the electrodes of the first pair of electrodes, wherein the second measurement processing includes arithmetic processing for calculating a visceral fat mass, a subcutaneous fat mass and a lean mass of the abdomen of the subject based on the has detected by the first pair of electrodes potential difference for a body axis direction, while the second pair of electrodes is supplied with a current.

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